Australia’s capital city Lord Mayors are focused on improving the prosperity, safety and liveability of our major cities. The Council of Capital City Lord Mayors (CCCLM) met today at Sydney Town Hall, to discuss critical issues for the management and security of our major cities and the people who live in, work and visit them. The agenda for the Lord Mayors’ meeting included discussions and briefings from expert practitioners: · Climate Action · City Safety and Security · Homelessness · Urban Renewal · Short Term Letting · Development of Precincts As part of CCCLM’s on-going engagement with the Federal Government, the Lord Mayors also met with the Minister for the Environment and Energy, the Hon Josh Frydenberg MP, to discuss practical solutions that will help cities to achieve successful environmental outcomes, as well as meeting local and international targets and commitments. “Australia’s capital cities are critical to the nation’s economic and social prosperity, and as the managers of our major cities, it is vital that the Lord Mayors work together through CCCLM to address the major issues impacting on our cities”, said Lord Mayor Clover Moore – Lord Mayor of Sydney and Chair of CCCLM. Globally, cities consume 78% of the world’s energy and produce more than 60% of all carbon dioxide and significant amounts of other greenhouse gas emissions, mainly through energy generation, vehicles, industry, and biomass use. “However, the capital cities are also the nation’s economic engine room. Over two-thirds of Australia’s population live in our capital cities, which also generate 68% of the nation’s GDP. They are our biggest and most important communities.” The Lord Mayors share an agenda to deliver economic benefits that drive national prosperity […]

The Council of Capital City Lord Mayors today welcomed the Government’s release of the terms of reference for its review into climate change policies. CCCLM Chair, Katrina Fong Lim welcomed the announcement of the review. “Australia is one of the worlds’ most urbanised nations, and our capital cities are instrumental in delivering emissions reductions to meet Australia’s targets”.

The Council of Capital City Lord Mayors (CCCLM) are taking a leadership role among Australian governments in promoting urban resilience. Australia’s cities are facing a range of increasing physical, social and economic challenges, resulting from acute shocks that threaten a city such as natural disasters, disease outbreaks and extremist acts. Chronic stresses that weaken the fabric of a city on an on-going basis include increases in populations, climate change, high unemployment and public transport systems under pressure. The total annual economic cost of natural disasters alone in Australia is forecast to rise from $9 billion today to $33 billion each year by 2050. Much of this risk to our economy and our people is now concentrated in cities. Better investment in social and community resilience – pre and post-disaster – as well as recovery planning will support the ability of our cities to bounce back stronger from the challenges we inevitably face. “Urban resilience is the critical capacity of individuals, communities, institutions, businesses and systems within a city to survive, adapt and grow no matter what kind of stresses and shocks they may experience,” said Lord Mayor Katrina Fong Lim, CCCLM Chair and Lord Mayor of Darwin. “Smart cities are resilient cities. “The resilience of our cities is the responsibility of all levels of government, and the CCCLM is meeting with its Federal counterparts at Parliament House over the next two days to discuss how the Federal Government and capital cities can most effectively work together.” “The key is to embed resilience planning into government decision-making,” she added. “This is particularly important at the Federal and State/Territory levels, which has responsibility for critical policy areas including emergency services, health, communications, […]

Australia’s capital city Lord Mayors are taking a leadership role in investing and developing technologies and practices that are increasingly transforming our capitals into ‘smart cities’. The Council of Capital City Lord Mayors (CCCLM) met this week in Darwin, and the development of smart city technologies and culture in our capitals was a major focus of the Lord Mayor’s agenda. “Smart cities seek to improve the quality of life of its inhabitants by using technology to improve the efficiency of services, better manage city assets, improve the management of traffic and urban flows, reduce costs and resource consumption” said CCCLM Chair, Lord Mayor Katrina Fong Lim, Lord Mayor of Darwin. “There is no one model for a smart city in Australia. All cities have aspects which make them great and unique, and will require tailor made initiatives to enhance how we improve city operations, improve the productivity of our CBDs, and enhance the day to day experiences of people who live, work and visit our cities.” The Federal Government has recently announced a $50m Smart Cities and Suburbs Plan, and have held roundtables in each capital city, with Darwin’s being held on Wednesday to discuss with key stakeholders how to most effectively implement the plan. “CCCLM believes the Federal Government’s commitment of $50 million is a good initial step towards fostering greater innovation and developing smart solutions that can improve long-standing urban problems.” “Collaboration between all tiers of Government, as well as with industry, is essential to provide effective and efficient smart city solutions to our communities. The Lord Mayors warmly welcome their engagement in the early stages of designing the Smart City and […]

On Friday 26 August, representatives from Australia’s capital cities joined with state and territory environment ministers and officials in a Climate Change Roundtable hosted by the ACT Government. The Council of Capital City Lord Mayors (CCCLM) welcomed the Roundtable, and its acknowledgement of the important role that the cities and regions have in implementing effective climate action in Australia. Australia’s capital cities are at the forefront of climate action in Australia, including the implementation and management of programs to: improve the energy efficiency of buildings, homes and streetlights; reduce vehicle emissions; improve and decarbonise our energy supply; and significantly reduce the emissions of city operations. CCCLM welcomes the commitment of the members of the Roundtable to work collectively to deliver low-carbon social and economic benefits to our respective jurisdictions, whilst helping to deliver effective climate action for all. There was agreement from the members of the Roundtable to focus on the following areas as priorities: Ensuring the development and implementation of effective national climate change policy settings, in recognition of the 2015 Paris Agreement and emphasise the critical importance of states, territories and local governments having direct and material input into the 2017 review of Australia’s national climate policy; Engage with Planning and Building Ministers on opportunities to accelerate consistent, stronger, and cost effective standards and guidelines where appropriate for sustainability and efficiency in new and existing residential and commercial building performance; Promoting a national framework for meeting Australia’s international climate change commitments at least cost, integrating climate policy with energy policy, including support for ongoing efforts to strengthen energy networks and markets; To work together on policies and programmes targeting low emission vehicles, renewable energy and energy storage technologies […]

The Council of Capital City Lord Mayors (CCCLM) welcomes Labor’s infrastructure policy, acknowledging the ALP’s continued support for cities. Lord Mayors support Labor’s policy to bolster Infrastructure Australia by providing it with the administration of infrastructure financing facility, whilst conforming to Infrastructure Australia’s priority list. CCCLM Chair, Katrina Fong Lim (Lord Mayor of Darwin) commented that “the support of the Infrastructure Australia priority list is intrinsic in providing long term infrastructure to our cities. “This ensures decisions are made for the right infrastructure, at the right time and in the right location – with the strategic direction of spanning the life of one government,” said Katrina Fong Lim In our rapidly changing world, cities matter more than ever before. Cities now act as a location that centralises where investments are made, new ideas are formed, jobs are created, and most importantly where lives are lived. CCCLM welcomes the continuing interest and understanding the ALP has for cities, and the need of investment in infrastructure to ensure their continued economic growth.

The Council of Capital City Lord Mayors (CCCLM) today welcomed the Coalition’s release of its plans to provide funds directed at boosting renewable energy and clean technology in capital cities. In welcoming today’s release, CCCLM Chair and Lord Mayor of Darwin, Katrina Fong Lim noted that “whilst the funding proposed is much welcomed, it demonstrates that action is required by all three levels of government working together which will allow cities to deliver emissions reductions”. “Our cities are instrumental in delivering emissions reductions to meet the Australian Government’s commitments, and capital cities stand ready to work alongside Federal and State/Territory governments to deliver energy efficiency in our cities” said the Lord Mayor. “It is recognised that Australia is one of the world’s most urbanised nations, and Australian’s are large users of energy. Cities produce a significant proportion of greenhouse gas emissions and consume an estimated 75% of the world’s energy. “Australian cities are vulnerable to a number of natural disasters – rising sea levels, flooding in low lying areas, increased water scarcity, extreme heat conditions and weather events. Cities play an important role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, as well as planning and managing the impacts of climate change. By working together, all levels of Government can ensure that Australia’s cities are strong and resilient, offering a quality of life that today’s and future generations can enjoy”. Lord Mayors call on the Federal Government to work with State and Territory governments, as well as capital city councils, to get the regulatory environment right in order to allow projects to be delivered under the proposed scheme announced today. “Our capital cities welcome the announcement of the program, and look forward to […]

The message from the Council of Capital City Lord Mayors (CCCLM) is clear – Australia’s major cities must not be neglected by the incoming Federal Government. Whilst much of the current election campaign focuses on marginal suburban seats, it’s critical that the economic and social output of our capital cities is recognised. CCCLM Cities Matter Spokesperson and Lord Mayor of Adelaide, Martin Haese, said that in an incredibly tight election campaign, the economic importance of cities must be acknowledged. “Governments around the world recognise the national significance of capital cities as centres of innovation, investment, jobs growth and wealth generation,” said the Lord Mayor. “We are seeing a renewed focus and engagement on cities from the Federal Government, and it’s critical that all levels of government work together to address the challenges capital cities face.” The Lord Mayor urged the Federal Government to focus on three key areas for cities: Infrastructure The economy Climate resilience “City‐based jobs in health, education, advanced manufacturing and professional services continue to grow,” said the Lord Mayor. “City economies are the engine room of a strong national economy, and it’s our cities where Australia’s future jobs are being created.” Australia’s capital cities are vital to our economy, generating productivity and high value add jobs. Our capital cities accounted for over $1,000 billion in economic activity in 2013‐14, as well as: 68 per cent of Australia’s GDP 82 per cent of GDP growth in 2013‐14 66 per cent of Australia’s 2.1 million businesses 69 per cent of Australia’s employed labour force – 8.1 million workers 76 per cent of Australia’s employment growth over the last decade. The Lord Mayor said ‘knowledge sector’ jobs will drive Australia’s future economy and the vast majority of these new […]

The Council of Capital City Lord Mayors (CCCLM) today released its third report in a series measuring the performance of the Australian Night Time Economy (NTE). The report includes the change in levels of annual sales revenues, number of establishments operating and employment across 14 key urban local government areas (including all State and Territory capital cities). The CCCLM Chair and Lord Mayor of Darwin, Katrina Fong Lim, noted the significant contribution activities taking place during the evening and night time make to the national economy, “local councils work hard to ensure that safe and diverse entertainment precincts are provided for the enjoyment of all who participate. The reported increase in jobs created and revenue turned over at night time reflects the need to support a growing 24 hour society”. The report highlights that: Annual NTE sales revenues in 2013-14 was estimated at $108 billion – an increase of 20 per cent from $90 billion in 2009 – the broader Australian economy (unconnected to the NTE) grew by 13.8 per cent in the same period. The NTE employs over 1 million people – 8.7 per cent of all Australian employment. Compared with the day-time economy, employment growth in the NTE experienced strong annual growth of 2.2 per cent. Food led businesses continue to grow, and accounts for 58 per cent of all NTE sales volume, with close to $38 billion of sales at restaurants and cafes, take away food sales follow at $24.6 billion. Food led revenue grew by $14 billion in the 2008-09 to 2013-14 period. Liquor retailing increased slightly by 18 per cent since 2008-09 – slightly ahead of the 13 per cent inflation rate increase […]

Australia’s capital city Lord Mayors have restated the importance of Australia’s cities as major drivers of the Australian economy, following today’s Smart Cities Summit. Council of Capital City Lord Mayors (CCCLM) Chair, Lord Mayor of Darwin Katrina Fong Lim, welcomed today’s Summit, which highlighted renewed Federal engagement on urban issues affecting our cities, including provision of funding and finance for infrastructure and transport, climate change resilience and the economy. “Australia’s capital cities are critical to Australia’s economic and social prosperity. We are the nation’s engine-room and one of the most urbanised countries in the world. Over two-thirds of Australia’s population live in our capital cities, with 82% of Australia’s future population growth expected to occur in our capitals”, said Lord Mayor Fong Lim. Our capital cities also generate 68% of Australia’s GDP, a figure that continues to increase, and have 8.1 million workers – 69% of Australia’s total workforce. As the Prime Minister highlighted at the Summit, sustainable cities with high quality of life will continue to attract the best and brightest who have the knowledge and skills to drive innovation and economic growth. CCCLM has been actively working to develop a common agenda between the Federal Government and Australia’s capital cities on the future of our cities. Today’s Summit demonstrated a strong agreement that Australia’s Cities Matter. Lord Mayors welcome the opportunity to enter into meaningful partnerships with the Australian Government to deliver the agenda that we share, our cities’ prosperity and sustainability and in turn the Nation’s prosperity and sustainability.